Client of the Year *NEW FOR 2012

This award recognises the organisation that makes the best use of research. To win it, you will need to demonstrate how research has played a central and integral part in evidence-based decision making throughout your organisation, as well as showing how research has shaped aspects of your operations – from communications, new product development, sales and customer satisfaction to more practical structural and operational aspects of the organisation and its overall corporate direction.

The winner of this new award in 2012 will need to demonstrate the effective incorporation of the evidence gained from research into its business / operational strategy, helping deliver bottom-line improvements in their organisation. The winner could be from private, public or third sector.

Who should apply?

Any client that puts market research at the heart of its processes and can demonstrate a real commitment to evidence-based decision making during the 12 months to 1 July 2012. Client organisations can nominate themselves or they can be nominated by agencies with which they are working. Agencies who complete forms on behalf of clients must do so with the client’s full consent.

What will the judges be looking for?

evidence of developing and delivering an effective and iterative research strategy that has improved bottom-line performance across their organisation

effective procurement and management of research providers, including collaborative working in innovative ways, to achieve the best result for the organisation in terms of exploring new methodologies and shaping agency feedback to be at its most operationally relevant

demonstration of a shift or change within an organisation which has been triggered and shaped by research

specific examples of where research has made a profound impact on the business and the way it operates

demonstration that research and evidence matter to the whole business - not just the marketing department. We would want to see evidence of direct senior executive and boardroom engagement in the whole process.

evidence of an ongoing commitment to an evidence-based approach

testimonials from senior management / boardroom and from agency partners are encouraged as part of this submission.

Hints from the judging panel

If you are entering on behalf of a client make sure that you don’t just talk about all the work they’ve commissioned from agencies (we’re not looking for the biggest spender) but demonstrate how the research work has made an impact on decision making within their organisations. Similarly if you are entering your own organisation, we need to see how the research work has made a positive impact on your operations. In both cases, it will be important to point to a forward programme which shows an ongoing commitment to evidence and the research that delivers it.

How to apply

A valid entry will comprise:

one copy of the submission document

one copy of the entry form

a high resolution copy of your company logo (in jpg format)

Entries should be sent to researchawards@mrs.org.uk by 5pm on Tuesday 31 July 2012.

Submission format

Entries from individuals: you may also include up to three short (100 words max) anecdotes from clients to support your case.

Entries from a company/organisation: in addition to your Statement you must specify:

date of incorporation (in the case of a business entry)

numbers employed (split between executive and support staff)

fees and profit data for two years (where possible)

Only electronic applications in the required format will be considered for this award.

Download and complete the Word submission document and entry forms - these two forms will constitute your award application.

Your submission will be judged on the merits of the summary/paper alone - no appendices or additional material will be considered.

You must send a high resolution version of your company logo, or two logos if the project is an agency/client partnership, in print quality jpg format (about 300dpi) to be used for publicity purposes if your entry is shortlisted for an award.

The submission document, entry form and company logo should be sent as attachments to the same email with the subject lineClient of the Year Entry 2012.

Rules of entry – Client of the Year

The evidence for your claim must come from work in the 12 months up to 1 July 2012.

You must nominate a primary contact on your Entry Form who will take overall responsibility for the entry.

The primary contact must ensure that permission to enter the Awards is obtained from all parties involved including any clients or suppliers.

Entries must not overtly ‘sell’ any organisation. Company logos are acceptable.

The judges’ decisions are final. The Panel will not enter into correspondence about why an entry is not selected as a finalist.

By entering the Awards, you grant MRS and our media partners permission to publish your submission to promote our awards schemes and excellence in market research. If your submission contains sensitive information, you should clearly state this and may be asked to provide a redacted version for publishing. This is a condition of entry.

Entries must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 31 July 2012 to qualify. No extensions will be granted.

There is an entry fee for this award:

MRS Member/Company Partner£500 + VAT (£600) for first entry£250 + VAT (£300) for each additional entry, in any category

Non-Member£750 + VAT (£900) for first entry£250 + VAT (£300) for each additional entry, in any category

You will be invoiced once your entry has been processed. Failure to pay by 01 September 2012 will cancel your application.